Hopefully your holidays are going great and you are ready to start relaxing. Adding to the existing Spring Essentials and Fall Essentials lists, I tried to build a winter wardrobe using those two as the base. If you have a decent fall or spring base wardrobe, you don’t need to add too much other then a few seasonal items, and those are mostly for the necessity of keeping warm. Here are 23 essential items for a great versatile winter wardrobe.
So before explaining a little why I chose these 23 items as winter essentials (okay well 20 essentials items and maybe 3 extra items you will be thankful for owning later.), you might want to head back and look through the Spring and Fall Essentials lists, as this whole winter list adds to those items and they can be mixed and matched together.
no 1) Long Sleeve Basic Tees – go for a slightly longer hem, even scooped a bit if possible. Stock up on your favorite base colors — black, grey and white are a good trio. [image]
- wear on their own, with the winter leggings, tucked into the high waisted jeans, or half tucked into the blue jeans (also go back and wear with any of the jeans or skirts from fall and spring.
- layer under sweaters, sweatshirts and cardigans. Great for layering under the chambray shirt, plaid shirt or the denim shirt from fall.
no 14) Leather Sneakers – regular sneakers are great, but fabric is a tad bit too breezy for the feet in the cold winter months. It’s not technically an essential, but if you love wearing sneakers (like me) a leather pair is a great go to for the winter (and can be worn all year long).
- wear with any of the pants, without socks on really warm days only!
- wear with the pencil skirt from fall or the midi skirt from spring.
- wear with the long line dress or any of the dresses from spring or fall (layering on top of those to make them winter ready).
- layer over the basic tees.
- wear on its own, with any of the pants.
no 3) Leather Gloves and no 4) Knit Mittens – Give yourself some options (on top of your snow mittens that is). Leather or faux leather gloves for dressier times and knit mittens for warmer winter days.
- wear every single day, because: winter.
- wear it over and dressed up or casual outfit, versatile and looks good both ways.
- layer over the basic tees, over the chambray shirt or the plaid shirt from fall.
- layer over the long line dress and give the look of separates (while you’re at it, layer over dresses from fall and spring).
- wear on its own, with any of the pants (unless it’s a little cropped, then stick to the high waisted jeans).
- wear alone over any of the pants, pop a scarf over top.
- layer under any of the sweaters or sweatshirts.
- layer under the cardigan, and maybe over a tee also (open or closed).
no 11) Cardigan – Another great item for lazy days, and the best part is that it pulls any outfit together and adds a chic finish. Since you have a basic one from fall, go for one that’s a bit thicker and almost jacket like.
- layer over the basic tees or chambray shirt
- layer over the long line dress or any of the dresses from spring or fall.
- an oatmeal sweater is a good base, layer or wear all alone.
- a slightly cropped layering sweater is great for wearing over tees, plaid shirts (from fall) or chambray shirts.
- wear either sweater, over the long line dress or any of the dresses from fall or spring.
no 22) Blanket Scarf – a great blanket scarf is heaven sent when it’s cold out.
- Wrap it around like a scarf, wear it over your head, wear it as a shawl, or even as a blanket. The most versatile scarf around.
- wear it alone for a dressier look
- add a blanket scarf or cowl
- layer under a sweatshirt or sweater
no 15) Rubber Boots – If you have a tall pair of wellies, from spring then you can skip this. I love the shorter option, especially for winter, when you might need boots for sloppy days but it isn’t quite cold enough for winter boots.
- Pair them with anything, because warmth trumps all.
no 17) Thick Socks – They can look cute poking out of your flat, winter or rubber boots and the best part is they keep your feet warm.
- Wear with any of the boots and any of the pants
- Try having them peek out of your boots when you wear the long line dress with the flat or rubber boots.
no 18) High Waisted Jeans – Hide the high waisted part, or tuck your shirt in to show it off. Either way, high waisted jeans are god sent to moms.
- wear with the basic tees, tucked or untucked
- wear with the sweaters, layered underneath with the chambray or basic tees.
- try either of the sweatshirts
- any boots or shoes
no 19) Winter Leggings – Thicker then your average legging, perfect for lazy days or to and from gym days. They are thicker so it’s safer to wear, but still covering up the behind is a good idea.
- wear with the basic tees layered under the sweaters or sweatshirts
- pair the chambray shirt over top
- any boots or shoes
- I tend to think a stack of winter hats is better then one, because you when it comes to winter hat hair – hiding it is always a good option.
- A cowl scarf is a great go to. Just pop it on and done. You have a warm neck and it looks chic.
Are you into capsule wardrobes? Do you like the idea of owning a solid base? Since this is an essentials post, most items are a bit pricey – you want them to be built to last. You can then layer trendy items (purchase those on the cheap) as you please on top of your seasonal essentials.
cherry / 141 posts
I love those jeans right above no 13 second picture. I want them!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I always love these posts. I wish I could buy everything in each season!
My only problem, I’ve found, is that not all Staples fit well on each body type. Since becoming a mom, many of my old clothes just don’t fit or hang right anymore. It’s a bummer and some trial and error in shopping now.
blogger / cherry / 113 posts
Loving that peacoat!